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the Degree Confluence Project
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United States : Iowa

2.2 miles (3.5 km) ESE of Gillett Grove, Clay, IA, USA
Approx. altitude: 431 m (1414 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap topo aerial ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 43°S 85°E

Accuracy: 1 m (3 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: Looking north from the confluence point. #3: Looking east from the confluence point. #4: Looking south from the confluence point. #5: Looking west from the confluence point. #6: GPS reading at the confluence point. #7: Joseph Kerski at the confluence point. #8: Ground cover at the confluence point. #9: View of confluence point in the distance from the driveway. #10: Nearest road to the confluence point looking west. #11: Nearest road to the confluence point, looking east southeast.

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  43°N 95°W (visit #4)  

#1: Site of 43° north 95° west in the foreground, looking north east.

(visited by Joseph Kerski)

26-May-2023 -- It had been two years since I had the opportunity to take a multi day trip just for collecting confluence points, seeing the landscape, and meeting local people. Finally the opportunity arose. My goal was to connect my Minnesota points to the points east and south and west. To fill those gaps would require some planning but could be quite fun and doable. Thus after flying to Sioux Falls I headed for 44 North 95 West on a fine late spring afternoon. Once that point was visited, I drove south into Iowa as the first of what I hoped would be successful visits to all the remaining points I needed to document 43 North in Iowa: 95, 94, 93, and 92 West Longitude. I drove past a functioning Drive-In Theatre about 30 minutes north of this confluence, the Superior71. I really wanted to stop but noted it for next visit to the area! It was nearing 5:00pm when I arrived at the property where the confluence point lay. Driving south on N14, I turned west on the gravel road that borders the confluence property to its south.

Parking south of what looked to be a new house on the property, I was very much heartened to see the landowner walking toward the driveway. Waving, we met in the driveway and I explained my mission, asking permission, and asking if he would join me to the point. I was overjoyed that he agreed on both requests and soon we were angling toward the point, with some deviation owing to my excitement of tramping through the waist-high and sometimes chest-high grasses. The landowner explained that he had been replanting the area in various species depending on which parts of his land were upland and which were wetland. It was the most enjoyable time I have had with a landowner since the time I was at 40 North in Indiana with the landowner there. After 15 minutes or so, we arrived at the point. It was amazing to me that over 20 years had passed since this point was last visited. But even here, new buildings had been constructed and change had taken place.

The terrain in northwest Iowa is a bit flatter than other parts of the state, and ever so gently rolling. The actual confluence point lies about 500 meters from the vehicle, but owing to my wandering, we had covered about 800 meters before arriving. The point lies on the south side of a small ridge that runs west-northwest-east-southeast across the landscape. We spent a few minutes zeroing out the unit. It was late afternoon in late spring, temperature about 80 F (27 C) under moderate winds and clear beautiful skies. This was my first time on this point but I now have visited the point to the north, west, and south of here, and planned to visit the point east of here later this very day. We saw a few birds, no snakes, and no animals. I took photos of everything except the landowner's home, and have posted my video on my Our Earth channel, here.

I had stood on 43 North many times, from Idaho on the west to New Hampshire on the east, and on 95 West from Minnesota on the north to Texas on the south. I have now visited all but 3 points in the state of Iowa, and those 3 were next on my plans. It was a great day out there chatting with someone as passionate about the land as I am, even more so, since the landowner was living the rural life. He even invited me to look at the 1930s windmill that he had brought to this site, and his new chickens and chicken coop, all of which I readily consented to and thoroughly enjoyed. I wanted to stay longer but didn't want to unduly take advantage of the kind landowner's time, and I also wanted to visit 43 North 94 West if possible before sundown. Thus I departed, walking back to the vehicle, turning around, and heading east. Could I make 43 North 94 West before sundown?

When this trip was all said and done, here are the final statistics:

 
Confluence points attempted:  15.  

Confluence points successfully visited:  15. 

Points where I met the local landowner = 4 of 15 points.  Including this landowner, which was wonderful. 

Miles = 1731, Kilometers = 2785.  

Campgrounds = 3.  

Windy confluence points:  6 of 15.

Beautiful confluence points:   15 of 15.

Kwik Trip convenience store stops = 5.  Casey's = 1.  Circle K = 1.  Flying J = 1.  

Points along 	43 North 4 
		44 North 3 
		45 North 4 
		46 North 1 
		47 North 3 
		-------------
			 15 points.

Points visited on 	Day 1 = 3 
			Day 2 = 5 
			Day 3 = 4 
			Day 4 = 3
		-------------------
			   	15 points.  

Points visited in the 	morning = 	5 
			afternoon = 	7 
			evening = 	3 
		-------------------------------
			   		15 points

Points visited in 	Minnesota =     5
			North Dakota =  3
			Wisconsin =     3 
			Iowa =          4
		-------------------------------
			   		15 points 

Get out there and explore!


 All pictures
#1: Site of 43° north 95° west in the foreground, looking north east.
#2: Looking north from the confluence point.
#3: Looking east from the confluence point.
#4: Looking south from the confluence point.
#5: Looking west from the confluence point.
#6: GPS reading at the confluence point.
#7: Joseph Kerski at the confluence point.
#8: Ground cover at the confluence point.
#9: View of confluence point in the distance from the driveway.
#10: Nearest road to the confluence point looking west.
#11: Nearest road to the confluence point, looking east southeast.
ALL: All pictures on one page